Awareness Of Art

What began in 1950 as a small arts guild in Boca Raton has mushroomed into what now is the Boca Raton Museum of Art.

To herald the museum`s recent acquisitions and expansion, the public is being invited to an open house on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the museum, 801 W. Palmetto Park Road.

``One of the purposes of the open house is to introduce the public to the new classes we`ve developed,`` said Olivia Shelley, curator of education for the museum. ``In addition to clay, drawing and painting classes, we`ve added courses in airbrush painting, photography, quiltmaking and printmaking.``

Shelley says there are about 1,500 students per year who enroll in the museum`s courses. ``That tells me a lot of people are interested in art classes,`` she said. ``Art isn`t limited to paintings or sculpture. Every day of our lives we are involved with color. We have to make creative decisions every day. The museum creates an awareness of art.``

Shelley says that the classes are geared toward children and teens as well as adults. For instance, the art experience course for ages 4 to 16 exposes children to other cultures and is coordinated with the students` grade levels.``

``We also offer a portfolio class,`` Shelley said. ``It`s for students interested in a career in art. It`s an 18-week course beginning next semester. Eighteen weeks sounds long, but that`s because the course is detailed.``

A benefit of the art classes for youth is that the classes offer a backup for the school system, Shelley said. These courses give students an opportunity to explore creative thinking, to open their eyes to the world around them. The goal, says Shelley, is to help students look at the world in a new way.

``Education has always been an important function of the Boca Raton Museum of Art,`` said Diane Benson, acting director of public relations for the museum. ``The museum now has almost 12,000 square feet of space, and much of that is dedicated to our classrooms, which have plenty of space for hands-on activities.

``Because of this ability to accomplish real artistic work while learning, we call them our `studio classrooms.```

A few of the teachers will be present at the open house to demonstrate painting and drawing. Benson emphasizes that the museum`s goal is not to offer scholarly classes to a select few, but rather to show as many people as possible as much about art as possible. Classes are available to non-members as well as museum members.

``We believe art is for everyone to enjoy,`` Benson said. ``By demonstrating some of our teaching techniques during the open house, we hope to get that point across.``

During the open house, a strolling guitarist, Aaron Stang, will play holiday music. Refreshments will be served.

Visitors to the open house can view the museum`s new Dr. and Mrs. John J. Mayers Collection -- 51 art works by 34 modern masters including Picasso and Degas. The collection is housed in its own new gallery within the museum.

Shelley hopes the open house will enlighten people about the museum`s activities and programs, including a docent program that teaches people to give museum tours. The museum depends on volunteers who do everything from addressing envelopes and designing brochures to donating money to support the museum`s educational efforts.

``I hope to expand the curriculum to include varied artistic programs, and to offer lecture series,`` Shelley said. ``The museum is a wonderful way for people to get involved in the community.``

OPEN HOUSE

WHERE: Boca Museum of Art, 801 W. Palmetto Park Road.

WHEN: Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m.

WHY: To introduce the public to the museum`s recent acquisitions and expansion.